Find the End Behavior f(x)=144x-168-18x^2-6x^3

$f (x) = 144 x - 168 - 18 x^{2} - 6 x^{3}$

Step 1

Identify the degree of the function.

Identify the exponents on the variables in each term, and add them together to find the degree of each term.

$144 x \to 1$

$- 168 \to 0$

$- 18 x^{2} \to 2$

$- 6 x^{3} \to 3$

The largest exponent is the degree of the polynomial.

$3$

Step 2

Since the degree is odd, the ends of the function will point in the opposite directions.

Odd

Step 3

Identify the leading coefficient.

Simplify the polynomial, then reorder it left to right starting with the highest degree term.

Move $- 168$ .

$144 x - 18 x^{2} - 6 x^{3} - 168$

Move $144 x$ .

$- 18 x^{2} - 6 x^{3} + 144 x - 168$

Reorder $- 18 x^{2}$ and $- 6 x^{3}$ .

$- 6 x^{3} - 18 x^{2} + 144 x - 168$

The leading term in a polynomial is the term with the highest degree.

$- 6 x^{3}$

The leading coefficient in a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.

$- 6$

Step 4

Since the leading coefficient is negative, the graph falls to the right.

Negative

Step 5

Use the degree of the function, as well as the sign of the leading coefficient to determine the behavior.

1. Even and Positive: Rises to the left and rises to the right.

2. Even and Negative: Falls to the left and falls to the right.

3. Odd and Positive: Falls to the left and rises to the right.

4. Odd and Negative: Rises to the left and falls to the right

Step 6

Determine the behavior.

Rises to the left and falls to the right

Step 7